Overhead attachable storage shelf

ABSTRACT

The overhead attachable storage shelf may be used for elevated storage of objects. A shelf assembly may have at least two cross members that may have an L-sectional structure with multiple parallel aligned rail elements disposed between the cross members. The rail elements may be attached to a horizontal portion of each of the cross members. At least two hanger elements may be attached at a first end to a vertical portion of each cross member adjacent transverse ends thereof. Each of the hanger elements at a second end may be attached to an attachment bracket that may be attached to a building support structure.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/519,814 filed Nov. 13, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to assemblies for use as shelf storage. The new overhead attachable storage shelf may be easily assembled and installed using a small variety of simple parts, and may be adaptable to a variety of overhead or ceiling joist structural members.

Overhead supported storage shelves or structures may be known and may be formed in a variety of configurations. Some overhead storage structures may even be configured as a kit for sale to a user who may then assemble and install the structure. Kit form overhead storage structures may include fabricated panels or shelves that serve as the platform on which objects may be placed for storage. A kit may then contain the hardware necessary to suspend the panel and attach to ceiling elements. There may also be provision for using multiple panels with additional hanging hardware to form larger size platforms for use in storage of objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to assemblies for elevated storage of objects. A shelf assembly may have at least two cross members that may have an L-sectional structure with multiple parallel aligned rail elements disposed between the cross members. The rail elements may be attached to a horizontal portion of each of the cross members. At least two hanger elements may be attached at a first end to a vertical portion of each cross member adjacent transverse ends thereof. Each of the hanger elements at a second end may be attached to an attachment bracket that may be attached to a building support structure.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a storage shelf according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an elongated storage shelf according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a two level storage unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a storage unit with elongated hanger elements according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a laterally extended storage shelf according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an elongated extended storage shelf according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a two level extended storage unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of extended storage unit with elongated hanger elements according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation view of a storage shelf according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of a storage shelf according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description represents the best currently contemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an overhead attachable storage shelf 20 may have a shelf assembly 18 that may be suspended from a building structural element such as ceiling joists 30. Structural attachment brackets 10 or mounts that may be an L-sectional structure may be fastened to the ceiling joists 30 by fasteners such as lag screws 15 and the like. For a single shelf assembly 18, four attachment brackets 10 may be fastened in locations to support attachment at four attachment positions 19 on the shelf assembly 18. The attachment positions 19 or holes may be located on cross members 12 adjacent transverse ends 22.

A vertical hanger element 11 or strap may be fastened to the attachment bracket 10 and to the cross member 12 by fasteners 14 that may be nuts and bolts or other fasteners. The cross members 12 may be L-sectional structure having a vertical and a horizontal portion. Rail elements 13 may be disposed on the horizontal portion of the cross members 12 and attached by fasteners such as screws 16 or like fasteners to be supported by the cross members 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 10, for variable length vertical suspension dimensions, additional hanger elements 11 may be combined and attached one to another by fasteners 14. Hanger elements 11 may have a plurality of apertures 24 to allow variable lengths of hanger element 11 combinations. This may allow for different elevations of shelf assembly 18, for shelf assembly 18 support from non-level ceiling joists 30, and for support of multiple level shelf assemblies 18.

Referring to FIG. 9, the hanger elements 11 may be attached between the attachment brackets 10 and cross members 12 at other than a vertical or orthogonal orientation to accommodate non-conventional ceiling joist 30 spacing.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the storage shelf 20 elements may be adapted to accommodate ceiling joist 30 configurations of various orientations and spacing, for example, the rail elements 13 may be lengthened or shortened and the attachment brackets 10 may be attached in a variety of orientations.

Referring again to FIG. 1, one or more cables 17 may be attached at a first end 26 to a ceiling joist 30 and at a second end 28 to a rail element 13 to minimize movement of a shelf assembly 18 relative to the ceiling joists 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, an elongated storage shelf 20 may be assembled by attachment of two cross member 12 vertical portions to hanger elements 11 oriented for horizontal portions to extend parallel and opposite one to the other for support of rail element 13.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 8, the shelf assembly 18 may be extended laterally by construction of elongated cross members 12. If cross members 12 may be lengthened sufficiently to require additional vertical support, additional hanger elements 11 may be attached between ceiling joists 30 and cross members 12.

The storage shelf 30 may be provided as a simple kit for installation in that only attachment brackets 10, hanger elements 11 and cross members 12 need be supplied to a user. Fasteners such as lag bolts, nuts and bolts, and screws may be easily purchased or may also be supplied in a kit. The rail elements 13 may be wood, for example, 2 inch by 2, 3, 4, etc. inches cross section, material that may be easily purchased. The rail elements may also be constructed of plastic, metal or other suitable material.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to the illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An assembly for elevated storage of objects comprising: a shelf assembly having at least two cross members having an L-sectional structure with a plurality of rail elements disposed between said cross members and said rail elements attached to a horizontal portion of each cross member; at least two hanger elements attached at a first end to a vertical portion of each cross member adjacent transverse ends thereof; and each of said hanger elements at a second end attached to an attachment bracket that is attachable to a building overhead support structure.
 2. The assembly as in claim 1 wherein a second hanger element is attached to each of said hanger elements to form an elongated hanger element for attachment between said cross members and said attachment brackets.
 3. The assembly as in claim 1 wherein said hanger elements having a plurality of apertures therein and said attachment means is by a bolt and a nut.
 4. The assembly as in claim 1 wherein said rail elements are attached by screws.
 5. The assembly as in claim 1 wherein said attachment brackets are attachable by lag screws.
 6. The assembly as in claim 1 wherein a cable at a first end is attached to one of said rail elements and at a second end is attached to said building overhead support structure.
 7. A method for assembly of an overhead attachable storage shelf comprising: attaching at least four attachment brackets to a building overhead support structure; attaching a hanger element at a first end to each of said attachment brackets; attaching a cross member at a second end of said hanger elements in combinations of two of said hanger elements for each of said cross members; and disposing a plurality of rail elements between two of said cross members for support on a horizontal portion of each of said cross members and for attachment to each of said cross members. 